Clinicopathologic Implication of Ezrin Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Ezrin, a member of the ezrin-radixin-moesin family, is implicated in tumor progression, metastatic dissemination, and adverse outcomes, in several cancer types. In this study, we explored the clinicopathological significance of ezrin expression in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarray with 112 surgically resected NSCLC specimens, was performed to examine the ezrin expression. We also correlated ezrin expression with other clinicopathological features and prognosis. Results: The ezrin-positive group revealed significantly higher correlation with pleural invasion (p = 0.016) and pathologic stage (p = 0.050). Univariate survival analysis showed that ezrin-positive group had a significantly shorter cancer-specific survival than ezrin-negative group (p = 0.016). Meanwhile, female (p = 0.030), no pleural invasion (p = 0.023), no lymphatic invasion (p = 0.026), and early pathologic stage (p = 0.008) significantly correlated with longer survival. Multivariate survival analysis showed that variables such as ezrin positivity (p = 0.032), female (p = 0.035), and early pathologic stage (p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for NSCLC. Conclusions: Ezrin might be a molecular marker to predict poor prognosis of NSCLC.